While Peoria continues to spend millions, approximately $35 million including interest, on a new library and upgrades to older ones, Colorado State University is clearing out one fourth of their books from Morgan Library, books that would stretch out 11 miles; books that haven't been checked out in 20 years. (USA Today)
While voters recommended the expansions in Peoria, I note that Lakeview Library has more empty shelf space and a lesser collection to chose from than they had two years ago despite closing the South Side Library. The windows are boarded up so it is possible the books are still on the shelves. At least, they haven't shown up at Lakeview.
For those of you not familiar with the South Side Library, it's history included the renovation of a Harrison Home for over $300,000 with an $80,000 elevator to a never used 2nd floor. Open from 10-5 five days a week, closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Think about the hours and ask when employed families would have been able to use this now closed facility? On my visits, I found that hundreds of books that had never been checked out, same as I found on visits to Lincoln Library.
Dunlap's newly expanded library is underutilized and will be more underutilized when the new Peoria Library that sits behind Walmart opens. After the first year, this new Peoria Library will be underutilized just like Dunlap.
Had it not been for my helping convince one or two council people to hold off expanding Lakeview, at least until the new library opened, another $7 million was planned to be borrowed and spent..
Grave digging is still going on at Lincoln Library which was underutilized before this poorly planned expansion was funded with all borrowed money. No one knows for sure but I suspect there are more dead buried at the Lincoln site then there is attendance at the Lincoln Library in a week.
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